Can You Do Without A Range Hood in the Kitchen?

Admit it, at one point in your home life, you've considered purchasing a range hood for your kitchen. The reason why a range hood goes hand in hand with your cooktop is because it helps get rid of unwanted smells and maintain the cleanliness of your cooking space.

In small and big kitchens alike, you will find range hoods in various forms and sizes. And for more reasons than one, it is essential to invest in this appliance. If you’re building a kitchen or renovating one and you’re thinking about putting this off, think again. Let these pros help convince you to get one, stat:

It ensures proper ventilation in your cooking corner.

IMAGE Michael Angelo Chua

If you’re familiar with kitchen odors that linger, it may be because your kitchen window or the absence of one does not cut it anymore. A range hood can be beneficial as it lessens the spread of smell by sucking out or filtering the air from your kitchen stove.

This appliance also helps by drawing in the heat from your cooktop or the steam from the food that you’re cooking. For range hoods with ducting, the air is sucked outside, while with the recirculating kind, air is filtered instead. Keep in mind that improved ventilation prevents the formation of grease and combats excess moisture—both of which attract mold and bacteria.

It can add to the overall look of your kitchen.

Aside from practical purposes, this appliance can add to the aesthetic of your space and altogether make it. If done right, you will find that range hoods can make a beautiful focal point in the kitchen, too.

It can help make cleaning easier.

IMAGE Hans Fausto

Filters, which are present in range hoods, block grease and grime—the ones that were supposed to go to your cupboards and walls. With this advantage, you can achieve a spotless space in a few minutes or less.

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It helps improve kitchen lighting.

Most (if not all!) range hoods come with built-in lights. This feature will help you see what you’re cooking or the excuse of a mess you are making. Additional lighting can help you check if the food is cooking properly and keep it from burning. The best part? It aids you in spotting the dirt and grime during cleanup.

Are you ready to purchase a range hood?

Depending on your preference, style, and budget, there are various options when it comes to hoods. Keep in mind that the range hood should be at least as wide as your stove. If possible, get the kind with ducting that leads outside your house or unit and choose one with a double motor as well.

IMAGE Dairy Darilag

If you're not yet decided, you may want to make the most of the space available in your kitchen.

A good side to not having a hood includes being able to use the space above the range. This is important for compact kitchens that require space management. The additional space can be used to store appliances on a shelf over the range, such as a microwave, a toaster, and a coffee maker, to name a few. In the absence of a range hood, make sure to keep your window open every time you cook, install a ceiling fan, or a plug-in air filter to keep the area well-ventilated and prevent funky smells from taking over your space.

Interior designer Vera Villarosa-Orila is an alumna of the University of the Philippines and is one of the go-to designers for the Real Living Makeovers. You can get in touch with her through e-mail: vera.villarosa[at]gmail.com.

Do you have questions or concerns about your home's layout, furniture, and color scheme? Send your questions to reallivingonline[at]gmail.com with the subject: Expert Advice. We might answer and feature your queries online.